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histoplasmosis
(his″to-plaz-mo´sis)
a systemic fungal disease that is caused only by the breathing in of dust contaminated by Histoplasma capsulatum and is not contagious. It is common in rural areas of the midwestern United States and is found in many other parts of the
world. The infection begins in the lungs and may spread to other organs; it is usually asymptomatic, but may cause acute pneumonia,
symptoms in the reticuloendothelial system, enlargement of the liver and spleen, anemia, or an influenzalike illness with joint effusion and erythema nodosum.
ocular histoplasmosis
disseminated choroiditis resulting in scars in the periphery of the fundus near the optic nerve, and characteristic disciform
macular lesions; Histoplasma capsulatum is implicated strongly as the causative agent.
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